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'Since Todt's departure, it's a mess at the FIA sometimes'
- Nicole Mulder
Several Formula 1 drivers have been critical of the FIA on several occasions, especially during the 2024 season. However, there is not only frustration in F1, but also in other racing classes where the governing body rules. For example, Robin Frijns sees two races in 2025 once again falling on the same weekend, forcing him to miss one.
'Since Todt's departure, it's sometimes a mess at the FIA'
As he did in 2024, Frijns will also drive a full season in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Formula E this year. Last year, the WEC race at Spa-Francorchamps, along with two Formula E races in Berlin, took place during the same weekend, forcing drivers with a double programme to choose. At the time, it was already clear that the same thing would happen in 2025.
Speaking to GPblog, Frijns expressed his frustration at the double schedule. "It was really a mess. Hopefully, they realise they made a mistake, and it can't happen again next year," the Dutchman said at the time. That turned out to be wishful thinking, as a clash will also take place on the calendar this year.
The Formula E race in Berlin will be hit with scheduling issues once again, as that race will clash with the 6 Hours of São Paulo in the WEC, with both race weekends taking place on the same weekend.
"Very unfortunate and I'm also quite angry about that," says Frijns in conversation with De Telegraaf. "In the past, it was actually never a problem to plan the races in such a way, but since Jean Todt left as president of the FIA, it is sometimes a mess there." Last year, the Dutchman drove at the WEC during the conflicting weekend, whereas this year it will be Formula E. "But it all seems totally unnecessary to me."
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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